Tips for living in Wyoming

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

By Bill Sniffin

By all indications, population growth has been steady here in Wyoming, and will be increasing.

So what tips can we come up with to help out these new folks who are headed our way?
It was just 37 years ago when our family moved here and let me use that experience as a partial example:

- What the heck is a barrow pit? Well, here in Wyoming that is the area along the roads where dirt was gathered up to create a roadbed. But back home, we call that a ditch?  No, a ditch is a groove in the land that carries irrigation water.
n The pass is closed because of bad weather. Really?  Hard to imagine the possibility of a pass being closed here in the 21st century? If you are coming to Wyoming, you better darned well believe it is.

- What are mineral severance taxes? Newcomers have heard of property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes, but what is this? Newcomers should learn about it since taxes on our minerals amount to about two thirds of all taxes paid here.
Those are just three things that seem to be pretty much unique to Wyoming.
This is the example of a project just completed by the Wyoming Humanities Council. That august group felt some kind of primer was necessary for newcomers to our state. What should be in such a guide?

Probably one thing would be the admonition to keep your mouth shut when you attend your first public meetings.
Our old-timers are insufferably polite but it is almost impossible to not think: if it was so great where you came from – why did you leave there and come here?
So what other unique Wyoming tips would you offer someone who is moving here? I asked some folks and here is what they said.

Scott Goetz of Lander says we need to explain to people what those odd fences are. Jo Anne McFarlane of Riverton says that when she first told newcomers they were “snow fences,” they thought she was kidding.
Clay James of Jackson says to buy a good strong snow shovel. Diane Galloway who moved from Wyoming to Washington, D. C. says she always packed a survival kit in her car for winter trips.

Rancher Jim Allen reminds that good fences make good neighbors. Wyoming is a “fence out” state. It is your responsibility to fence your property so other people’s livestock do not trespass on your land.

Dave Kellogg of Lander says you need to make sure your spouse is prepared for the kind of erratic weather you can get here. UW Prof Phil Roberts echoes that you better learn to appreciate the Wyoming wind. Bob Peck of Cheyenne says get used to “horizontal snow.” And if you do not know what directions are, just look at the trees, “they all point east.”

Chris Boswell of Cheyenne said when he first moved to Wyoming (to Green River) it was somewhat intimidating to see all the bumper stickers that read ‘Wyoming Native.’ But the town was welcoming and all those people stayed and have families full of new Wyoming natives.
State Treasurer Joe Meyer recalls taking new state officials around the state and advising them “to just listen.”

Scott Ratliff of Riverton says it is great to have a state where you can have a good career without needing an advanced education, thanks to the mineral industry. My sister Susan Kinneman of Dubois says newcomers do not understand all our acronyms like BLM, USFS, G&F, EPA and DEQ.

And finally Debbie Hammons of Worland offered: Do you know the story about the guy in Wyoming who had a small convenience store? A newcomer stopped and asked what the folks were like in the town. The owner asked, “What were folks like back where you’re from?”

“They’re really small-minded, closed to newcomers, gossip a lot.”
“Well,” said the owner. “That’s about what you’ll find here.”
That fellow left, and another newcomer pulled in. He too asked what folks were like here. The owner replied with his same question, “What were folks like where you’re from?”

“Oh, they’re great,” said the fellow.  “Open and hospitable, help you out if you need it but respect your privacy.”
“Well,” said the owner, “that about describes the folks here, too.” 

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Tips for living in Wyoming | Planet JH News Article: Left Wing Local

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